Italian Bread

Description

Easy, homemade classic Italian bread with a chewy crust and soft interior. Plus, step by step photos and instructions on how to make this loaf from scratch!

Scale

Ingredients

2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) Red Star active dry yeast

1 teaspoon granulated sugar

1 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F)

2 1/2 cups bread or all-purpose flour

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

In a large bowl or bowl of a stand mixer, combine yeast, sugar and warm water. Let stand 5 minutes until yeast is foamy.

Add 2 cups flour, olive oil and salt. Stir with a wooden spoon or with a dough hook on low speed until a shaggy dough forms. Turn dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead by hand 10 minutes, adding just enough of the remaining flour until a soft, smooth and elastic dough forms; OR, increase dough hook speed to medium and knead dough in stand mixer 5 minutes, adding just enough of the remaining flour until a soft, smooth and elastic dough forms.

Shape dough into a ball; place in an oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let dough rise 1 hour until doubled.

Heat oven to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone mat or lightly grease the surface with oil or cooking spray. On a lightly floured surface, punch down dough, then carefully shape into a batard/torpedo about 12 inches long. Transfer to prepared baking sheet. Cover with a tea towel and let rise another 20 minutes until puffy.

Use a serrated knife to make a few 1/4-inch deep slits in the surface of the loaf. Bake loaf 20 minutes until golden brown. Cool completely on a cooling rack before slicing.